Hotazhell and Shane Foley with winning connections at Doncaster© Photo Healy Racing
Hotazhell outbattled Delacroix to claim the William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.
Jessica Harrington’s colt was ridden by Shane Foley as an 11-1 shot in a field of eight for the Group One.
He always looked a threat and began to lock horns with the favourite Delacroix in the final furlong, putting his head down to claim victory on the line as the first two pulled clear of the rest.
Hotzahell shaded Delcroix by a nose, with four and three-quarter lengths back to Wimbledon Hawkeye in third.
Coral make both colts 25-1 shots for next year’s Derby, while Hotazhell is 25s from 33-1 for the 2000 Guineas with Betfair.
The testing ground soon found plenty out, with the John and Thady Gosden-trained pair of Nebras and Detain beaten a long way from home.
Seaplane travelled well for Paul and Oliver Cole, but the Irish pair had it to themselves throughout the final furlong.
Harrington said: “He’s very tough and he loves a battle, I don’t think he’ll ever win by a large margin – he loves just looking at the other horse and saying ‘I’m better than you’.
“He’s a little bit feisty, he isn’t called Hotazhell for nothing!
“I think he might get 10 furlongs next year but we’ll start off over a mile. I’m not sure he’ll get a mile and a half but he is a very relaxed horse.
“He’s won a Group Three, a Group Two and now a Group One and this is just the start of his career, hopefully. We hope he can go on next year and get better.
“He’s in the Irish and he’ll be in the English Guineas, so we’ll see how the spring unfolds.”
Harrington last saddled a winner at the highest level in 2022 and added: “It is very special to win a race like this, it’s always special to win any Group or Grade One. We are mainly Flat now, we’re down to about half a dozen jumpers.
“I did a lot of shouting in the final furlong – I’ll get sent back to the National Hunt for doing that!
“I thought he had won but then I thought he hadn’t. He had to battle back twice, he’s very, very tough.
“It’s very exciting for next year.”
O’Brien said of Delacroix: “He’s run a stormer. We hope that bodes well for next year.”
James Owen said of Wimbledon Hawkeye: “He was lost in the ground. He showed his heart and how good he is in the way he battled on to finish third.
“James (Doyle) said it’s a lot softer here today than it was at Newmarket. He was struggling in it but he’s a lovely horse for next year. I’m thrilled to be here mixing it at the top and he’s done us proud.”
